America loves candy. Gitnux reports that the average person in the U.S. eats 25 pounds of it annually. It’s hard not to be tempted to treat yourself, but the Clover Hills Dentistry team has seen the effect of sugar on dental health firsthand. That’s why our Mission, TX, dentists advocate taking a page from Sweden and dedicating just one day a week to sweet treats. This, combined with regular checkups and cleanings, can help keep your family’s teeth healthy without cutting out all sugar.
Lördagsgodis: Saturday Sweets and Dental Health
According to the BBC, as a way to prevent cavities in the 1950s, Sweden promoted the idea of Saturday being the only day for sweets. The result was a tradition of children saving up and buying candy as a once-a-week treat.
As dentists, we love this idea! Contrary to popular belief, we don’t expect you and your children to abstain entirely from sugar. Restricting candy altogether might seem like a foolproof plan, but it can cause a sense of deprivation. Kids are smart, and forbidden foods often become all the more tempting. Moderation allows for occasional indulgences while understanding and respecting boundaries. It’s about balance, and balance is a concept that, once ingrained, can serve your children well throughout life.
Parent by Example
As parents, you are your child’s first and most influential teacher. If you model a balanced approach to eating sweets, your child will likely follow suit. Get in the spirit of candy day by building it up for your kids and getting excited yourself. Most importantly, don’t cheat!
In addition to hyping your weekly treat, instruct your children to floss and brush twice a day, especially after eating sugar. Stay on top of dental checkups. Clover Hills Dentistry offers care for the whole family including young children preventative dentistry, adolescent preventive dentistry, and adult preventative dentistry services, making us a one-stop shop for all your oral health needs.
Teach Your Kids to Savor the Flavor
Establishing one day for sweets can help teach your kids the joy of anticipation and taking things slow. Each piece of candy can be an experience rather than a mere morsel if we learn to enjoy and be present with our treats. Encourage your little ones to really taste their candy, to notice the textures, and to find pleasure in each bite. This practice not only curbs binges but also cross-trains them in the art of mindfulness.
Safeguard Your Family’s Oral and Overall Health
Excessive sugar intake isn’t just a one-way ticket to cavities; it impacts overall health. Sugar has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. When your children learn to enjoy sweets just once in a while, they’re establishing a foundation for a healthier future—both for their teeth and their bodies.
Partner with Clover Hills Dentistry
Moderation is a life lesson that extends far beyond the candy jar. Teaching children to balance their sweets isn’t just about preventing cavities; it’s about cultivating a positive relationship with food, reinforcing the importance of self-control, and viewing oral health and diet as connected. Encourage mindful sweets consumption with a once-a-week candy day and schedule your checkups with a Mission, TX, dentist at our practice.